(The Center Square) – North Carolina will be getting the rest of the $165 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education that was held up by a federal review.
The Office of Management and Budget said Friday it has given direction to Secretary Linda McMahon’s department following a review of grants the Trump administration wanted checked against policies outlined in a series of executive orders earlier this year. Nationally, about $6.8 billion in funding was frozen on July 1 with some money impacting summer camps and the bulk tied to the 2025-26 school year that was roughly two months away.
Money is expected to transfer next week.
Earlier this week, 99 after-school and summer programs serving more than 10,000 students through Title IV-B Funding were cleared for $35.8 million in operations funding.
“It is good to see the federal government honor its commitment to our students, our educators, and our schools,” said first-term Democratic Superintendent of Public Instructions Mo Green said in a statement. “I hope this resolution and the release of funds next week marks a return to the predictable, reliable federal partnership that our schools need to serve students effectively.”
Through first-term Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson, North Carolina joined a litigation filed July 14 by 24 states and the District of Columbia in a federal Rhode Island court. Plaintiffs asked for declaratory and injunctive relief, and instruction to fulfill their obligations.
When the filing was made, Jackson said the state’s share is $67.9 million and 507 jobs in supporting effective instruction; $37.2 million and 247 jobs in student support and academic enrichment; $35.7 million and 29 jobs in 21st century community learning centers; $19.3 million and 133 jobs in English language acquisition; and $5.4 million and 66 jobs tied to the migrant education program.
Each of the state’s 115 public school districts was impacted by at least one of the five areas. Losses in all five could have happened in the districts of Ashe County, Edgecombe County, Lenoir County, Nash County, Pender County, Richmond County, Robeson County and Whiteville City.
The five largest student population districts with the potential for most fiscal loss were Mecklenburg County ($12.2 million); Wake County ($8 million); Guilford County ($6.2 million); Forsyth County ($5.5 million) and Cumberland County ($4.2 million). Seven others exceeded $2 million: Robeson County ($3.1 million); Durham County ($2.9 million); Gason County ($2.7 million); Johnston County ($2.4 million); Pitt County ($2.1 million); Nash County ($2.1 million); and Buncombe County ($2 million).
Nevada, led by Gov. Joe Lombardo, and Vermont, led by Gov. Phil Scott, were the only states with a Republican governor that were plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Kansas, led by Gov. Laura Kelly, was the only state with a Democratic governor not a plaintiff.
